Extremist-in-chief George W. Bush yesterday continued along his merry way, going over the heads of the wise men and defying Washington moderation and the glories of bipartisan centrism to remind the American public that he is also the protector.

"The only way to secure a lasting peace for our children and grandchildren is to defeat the extremist ideologies," the president said.

Mark his words: the only way.

Those yearning for a tidier world can produce studies and recommendations galore, but the president firmly believes he is the one who has to deal with the real world, and that he and not the ivory tower uniquely understands how dangerous it is.

Thus we are witnessing the emergence of a new divide in American politics. It is no longer Democrats vs. Republicans or withdrawers vs. stay-the-coursers. The majority, bucked up by strong majority in American public opinion, is clearly in favor of change. In English, that means it's over in Iraq.

The new battleground will be between the believers and the non-believers. Bush and Cheney command the believers, who remain the custodians of the Sept. 11 aesthetic that America and the world are threatened, leaving no room for niceties and togetherness.

But it is not just Bush and Cheney, and the Washington-New York-Hollywood axis should take notice. The protectors are mobilizing. They see American "will" dwindling and think they need to do something about it.

In our naïve ways, we might believe that that means they have to change policy. But in the ways of national security, the protectors believe just the opposite…. (emphasis mine)

Go read the whole thing. I enjoy keeping up with Arkin's blog, despite not agreeing with it half the time because he is much more aggressive tactics-wise than even I am when it comes to enforcement issues, because he always catches bits and pieces of national security chatter to which I have no access. But which always makes for a great read. (The fact that the wingnut brigades have shown up to denounce him each and every time he has any criticism about the Bush Administration's misuse of national security personnel or tactics, or denouncing missteps made by the Administration? Well, that just makes me want to link him up that much more.)

In the last thread, Frank Probst made an interesting point regarding Waxman’s inevitable investigation in the event that Bush pardons Libby.

I would love to hear Jane and Christy share their thoughts on whether and how the shift in congressional power to the Democrats will effect the dynamics and strategy of the legal teams on both sides of the Libby case.

Did the events of November 7 critically damage Libby’s hopes of a pardon?

If so, how will the decreased likelihood of a pardon change Libby’s willingness to cut a deal with Fitzgerald?

These are complex questions that I would love to see dissected here at FDL at some point.

I had the joy of seein this as the top headline on this morning’s LA Times:Bush not swayed by Iraq study
with the sub-article:Conservatives incensed over panel’s findings

No connection to reality, as far as I can tell. And no idea of any way out, either. Bush saying we have to win before we can leave – Earth to Shrub: let’s declare it a victory and get out. You got your pet dictator out, you got your democraticly-elected government in Iraq, you got zero WMD there, so you got everything you said you wanted done.

(I’d have gotten a drink, but it was only 6am and the coffee place wasn’t open yet.)

OT– but I just saw this interview with a former fellow of the Carter center who criticized Jimmy Carter and his new book even alleging plagiarism on msnbc and went digging a bit because of my dismay and of course the interview was entirely without the context below.

ATLANTA — A longtime aide to former President Carter has resigned from the Carter Center think tank, calling the former president’s new book on Israel and the Arabs one-sided and filled with errors.

Kenneth Stein, the Carter Center’s first executive director and founder of its Middle East program, sent a letter to Carter and others bluntly criticizing the book.

(snip)

Carter issued a brief statement saying that Stein had not been actively involved with the center for more than 12 years and was not involved with the new book.

Carter did not directly address the allegations made by Stein, who is director of the Institute for the Study of Modern Israel at Emory University.

It is not the first time Carter and Stein have disagreed over Middle East policy, said Douglas Brinkley, a professor of history at Tulane University and author of the 1998 Carter biography “The Unfinished Presidency.”

“They’ve never been on the same page in the Middle East,” Brinkley said.

Can anyone explain to me why we should take NARAL–or HRC, for that matter–seriously? Both groups seem to be fighting for the right to sit in the back of the bus. Why are people wasting their money on them?

In the last thread, Frank Probst made an interesting point regarding Waxman’s inevitable investigation in the event that Bush pardons Libby.

I would love to hear Jane and Christy share their thoughts on whether and how the shift in congressional power to the Democrats will effect the dynamics and strategy of the legal teams on both sides of the Libby case.

Did the events of November 7 critically damage Libby’s hopes of a pardon?

If so, how will the decreased likelihood of a pardon change Libby’s willingness to cut a deal with Fitzgerald?

These are complex questions that I would love to see dissected here at FDL at some point.

Here’s a foolish layman’s question for those constitutional law experts out there. Is a Presidential pardon assailable in any legal fashion? For instance, could a 2/3 majority vote in both houses overturn a Presidential pardon under the weight of investigations showing undeniable crimes and misdemeanors?

Can anyone explain to me why we should take NARAL–or HRC, for that matter–seriously? Both groups seem to be fighting for the right to sit in the back of the bus. Why are people wasting their money on them?

I think that NARAL and HRC rely on low-information donors. Like Liberman relied on low-information Democrats.

The blogs are doing everything they can to educate people about NARAL and HRC, but there are plenty of people who don’t yet realize how these organizations undermine the causes they purport to advance.

The Constitution Voids Presidential Pardons For Criminal Convictions Or Indictments Flowing From “Cases of Impeachment” Where The Senate Has Voted To Convict.

However, in researching the issue, I was pleasantly surprised to discover an obscure Constitutional device which insulates certain convictions/indictments from the broad pardon power granted to the president. This never before tested Constitutional process requires the House of Representatives to Impeach and the Senate to convict “civil Officers of the United States” so that pardons of those Officers pertaining to criminal prosecutions flowing from “Cases of Impeachment” can be voided.

In the last thread, Frank Probst made an interesting point regarding Waxman’s inevitable investigation in the event that Bush pardons Libby.

I would love to hear Jane and Christy share their thoughts on whether and how the shift in congressional power to the Democrats will effect the dynamics and strategy of the legal teams on both sides of the Libby case.

Did the events of November 7 critically damage Libby’s hopes of a pardon?

If so, how will the decreased likelihood of a pardon change Libby’s willingness to cut a deal with Fitzgerald?

These are complex questions that I would love to see dissected here at FDL at some point.

Here’s a foolish layman’s question for those constitutional law experts out there. Is a Presidential pardon assailable in any legal fashion? For instance, could a 2/3 majority vote in both houses overturn a Presidential pardon under the weight of investigations showing undeniable crimes and misdemeanors?

The general view is that pardons are absolute. However, I don’t think that all of the possible scenarios have been explored. My guess is that the Supreme Court would have to rule if there was an odd case. There’s a clause in the Constitution that says “except in cases of impeachment”. I suspect that you could try to impeach someone after they’ve been pardoned and thus void the pardon. It’s uncharted legal territory.

I can only think of 1 way in which the CHIMP and his cabal can save face, reject the recommendations of the ISG, and either remain in Iraq or not (in their sole discretion and on their own timetable).

Conspiratorial assumption that the CHIMP and his cabal will stop at nothing to retain power. Were our country subjected to another terrorist attack, you can only begin to guess at the level of consolidation of governmental authority this administration would seek, and the level of hubris and arrogance that would follow.

I think there is there a lot of merit in the thought that we have two madmen in control and I only hope we can survive two more years.

Like a pressure cooker has a safety pressure release valve, I think the American public is only going to put up with so much.
Clusterfucks JAR is down to 27%.
There isn’t much farther he can go.
By ignoring the ISG, he is walking in a minefield.Iraq is lost.Afghanistan basically also.
Just how long are we as a people , going to continue to tolerate this mans folly?

Well, then, you throw in a Patriot Act; a new and improved definition of the power of a signing statement; a few other newly found presidential capabilities (thanks to some creative constitutional interpretations) and you’ve got yourself quite a little mafia ring…er, despotism…er, totalitarian regime thingy…or something.

Then, if you got the get out of jail free card to trump…mark it with a ‘W’ and stick ‘er in the oven, ’cause she’s DONE!

Angie @ 10..I had to be at out-patient surgery at 7:15 AM and Fox “News” was on the TeeVee. Ken Stein “Carter makes shit up, yak yak” The Fox jerk
“Carter is a liar, yak, yak” It was Likud-AIPAC, major push-back against Carter. IMHO, no American has made Israel more safe then Carter and this is the thanks he gets.

…I do not think NARAL understands its function anymore. It is not a politician from a conservative district who won with only a few percentage points and needs to pander. It is not a political party that needs to gloss over differences to come to consensus. It is an advocacy organization. Its job is to hold the line and then move the debate their way.
…
I’m a good Democrat and I’m also someone who likes to think strategically. As I argued above, I think it’s a huge mistake for advocacy groups that represent fundamental rights to ever negotiate (leave that to the politicians.) But I could theoretically support any strategy that would ensure a woman’s right to choose. On the substance, however, this is no more subject to compromise to me than habeas corpus or torture or slavery. It defines what it is to be an autonomous human being. If every woman in this country doesn’t own her own body then she is not free.

I’ve never trusted politicians on this issue and now it looks like we can’t trust one of the premier pro-choice advocacy groups either. They are no longer effective. But there are plenty of others that can use my money and I’ll be sending it to them rather than NARAL from now on. We need savvy people doing this right now.

This is so totally OT, but why the press about Chelsea Clinton’s possible, maybe, potential father-in-law? With pic of Chelsea… quid pro quo for media coverage of the slu**y Bush *wins? nyah, nyah, yours is too?

And props to Norah O’Donnell for pulling a KO this week and saying she was diverging from interviewing two of the ISG participants to talk about Britney’s no-pants because “the producers are making me do this.”
’bout time.

The general view is that pardons are absolute. However, I don’t think that all of the possible scenarios have been explored. My guess is that the Supreme Court would have to rule if there was an odd case. There’s a clause in the Constitution that says “except in cases of impeachment”. I suspect that you could try to impeach someone after they’ve been pardoned and thus void the pardon. It’s uncharted legal territory.

If the only good thing to come out of this authoritarian nightmare is a better legal definition of “Presidential Powers” and a modern system of check and balance in keeping with the ideas of the founding fathers; well, I’ll take it at face value rather than accept the fact that the country has spent 6-8 years sliding in decline.

FDL question: anybody want to venture an opinion on the value of posting interesting snippets here from other major blogs? for instance, there was a big kerfuffle over at DKos today about impeachment: a kos post, and a Jerome a Paris rebuttal diary. yet I assume most folks are checking DailyKos throughout the day and are aware of that on their own.

FDL question: anybody want to venture an opinion on the value of posting interesting snippets here from other major blogs? for instance, there was a big kerfuffle over at DKos today about impeachment: a kos post, and a Jerome a Paris rebuttal diary. yet I assume most folks are checking DailyKos throughout the day and are aware of that on their own.

same goes for TPM, etc.

I used to read DailyKos hourly (hourly Kos); and the information there is still some of the best in the blogosphere — no doubt. But, there is only so much time in the day and FDL offers a more colloquial bend; in short, I am a much less depressed person here. So I, for one, would be very appreciative of active cross posting from those intelligent folks who have time, energy and inclination to move in multiple blogoshperes. Thanks in advance.

It seems to me with the recommendations of the ISG the Beltway is coming to the conclusion that this isn’t just politics, that in fact we now have leadership that is incapable of implementing the recommendations of the group. Bush brokering peace in the ME? Give me a break, no one on any side of the issue can even picture it.

Everyone except Bush seems scared shitless of two more years of stay the course, because Bush does not have the capacity to change.

FDL question: anybody want to venture an opinion on the value of posting interesting snippets here from other major blogs? for instance, there was a big kerfuffle over at DKos today about impeachment: a kos post, and a Jerome a Paris rebuttal diary. yet I assume most folks are checking DailyKos throughout the day and are aware of that on their own.

same goes for TPM, etc.

Count me in on the pro side of this question, with the usual caution to stick to snippets and please include links.

Often a link with a too cryptic comment may go unexplored, while an intriguing quote works to whet the appetite.

In the last thread, Frank Probst made an interesting point regarding Waxman’s inevitable investigation in the event that Bush pardons Libby.

I would love to hear Jane and Christy share their thoughts on whether and how the shift in congressional power to the Democrats will effect the dynamics and strategy of the legal teams on both sides of the Libby case.

Did the events of November 7 critically damage Libby’s hopes of a pardon?

If so, how will the decreased likelihood of a pardon change Libby’s willingness to cut a deal with Fitzgerald?

These are complex questions that I would love to see dissected here at FDL at some point.

The greymail ain’t over yet folks. Last night I finished reading the not very redacted version of Walton’s CIPA decision.

The Constitution Voids Presidential Pardons For Criminal Convictions Or Indictments Flowing From “Cases of Impeachment” Where The Senate Has Voted To Convict.

However, in researching the issue, I was pleasantly surprised to discover an obscure Constitutional device which insulates certain convictions/indictments from the broad pardon power granted to the president. This never before tested Constitutional process requires the House of Representatives to Impeach and the Senate to convict “civil Officers of the United States” so that pardons of those Officers pertaining to criminal prosecutions flowing from “Cases of Impeachment” can be voided.

If the conditions are “flowing from impeachment and conviction” does that limit the relationship to the particular charge? If Cheney is impeached for corruption with federal contracts and convicted would that void a (even pre-emptive) Libby pardon for activities in outing Plame?

The first of what may end up being a dozen arrests of Alaska GOP legislators and energy industry power brokers occurred yesterday afternoon in Anchorage:

Federal authorities arrested state Rep. Tom Anderson on Thursday on “public corruption” charges, the FBI said. Anderson was still in custody at the Anchorage Jail this morning.
FBI spokesman Eric Gonzalez said further details would be available from the Department of Justice Friday with the release of the federal charging documents.
Gonzalez only would say that there was a federal warrant for Anderson’s arrest “in connection with a public corruption probe.” Anderson was arrested around 4:30 p.m. Thursday at his home, Gonzalez said.
Anderson, who was elected to the state House four years ago to represent Muldoon but did not seek re-election in November, kept up his original consulting business as an adviser for clients who do business with state and local government.
He is married to state Rep. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, who was elected to the state Senate in November. McGuire could not be reached for comment, but Anderson’s father, Tom Anderson, former director of the Alaska State Troopers, told the Associated Press, “No comment” when contacted Thursday night.

Anderson wasn’t one of the legislators whose offices were searched by the FBI back in August and September.

For those interested in how this may have an impact on the five-day old gubernatorial administration of Sarah Palin, I would estimate it will have NO impact directly on it. She ran in and won the GOP primary as an severe critic of the kind of corruption and cronyism which will be highlighted by these arrests as they roll out.

So, to be on topic here – an arrest accompanied by a night in jail for a GOP crook is always better than a mere subpoena…

In the last thread, Frank Probst made an interesting point regarding Waxman’s inevitable investigation in the event that Bush pardons Libby.

I would love to hear Jane and Christy share their thoughts on whether and how the shift in congressional power to the Democrats will effect the dynamics and strategy of the legal teams on both sides of the Libby case.

Did the events of November 7 critically damage Libby’s hopes of a pardon?

If so, how will the decreased likelihood of a pardon change Libby’s willingness to cut a deal with Fitzgerald?

These are complex questions that I would love to see dissected here at FDL at some point.

Here’s a foolish layman’s question for those constitutional law experts out there. Is a Presidential pardon assailable in any legal fashion? For instance, could a 2/3 majority vote in both houses overturn a Presidential pardon under the weight of investigations showing undeniable crimes and misdemeanors?

Farewell to 109th: They Took So Much — But Boy, Did They Give
By Justin Rood – December 8, 2006, 11:53 AM

Oh, you sweet 109th Congress. We hate to see you go!

That’s a minority opinion, of course. Some three-quarters of Americans think you’ve done a horrible job. Some even say, with all your (admitted) boozing, (alleged) whoring and (convicted) extortion, you’re the worst Congress ever. And frankly, if we didn’t know you so well, we’d probably agree with them.

BAGHDAD, Iraq – U.S.-led coalition forces killed 20 insurgents, including two women, Friday in fighting and airstrikes that targeted al-Qaida in Iraq militants northwest of Baghdad, the military said. The mayor of the village, which was the site of a U.S. raid earlier this year, said 19 civilians were killed, including seven women and eight children.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi and U.S. officials disputed each others’ accounts of an overnight raid and air strike on Friday that killed up to 20 people in a new sign of friction over allegations of American troops killing civilians.

Given the dubious elections in both 2000 and 2004, Bush and Cheney were never into democracy that much anyway. 911 was a disaster but for them it proved a godsend giving Bush the highest JARs of his Presidency and a blank check. 5 years on and even after the rejection of their policies in the November elections, he and Cheney are still trying to cash that check.

Then there is the psychological aspect. Bush is ignorant, opinionated, intellectually limited, and stubborn. In the 6 years of his Presidency, he has shown no capacity for flexibility or pragmatism. It would be wrong to expect for him to do that now. Bush will not change until he does just as he is fiercely loyal to those around him, until he isn’t. Just ask Paul O’Neill, Colin Powell, George Tenant, Paul Bremer, Andrew Card, and Donald Rumsfeld.

Yeah, cross-posting is great. I for one prefer FDL to dKos. FDL is more “readable” on many levels, IMHO.

I think of FDL as like being at one of those parties where everybody winds up in the kitchen. Visiting Kos is like standing in a packed auditorium amidst the roaring din. I poke my head into the auditorium a few times a day, but I spend more time in the kitchen.

But it is not just Bush and Cheney, and the Washington-New York-Hollywood axis should take notice. The protectors are mobilizing. They see American “will” dwindling and think they need to do something about it.

I don’t suppose this “will” will lead to them or theirs into enlisting, will it?

Re pardon power exception. “In cases of impeachment”–I’m thinking this means that the President cannot prevent an impeachment via pardon, nor can he void a conviction and penalty that flows from that impeachment. The only punishment via conviction from an impeachment is removal from office, and a bar on further office.

The president can keep you out of jail, but can’t give you your job back.

The question no WaPoO chatter would take this week: When do the GOP solons trek up PennAve to tell the BoyKing he’s got to save their party and the country? Just like Hugh Scott, Howard Baker, and Barry Goldwater told RMN it was time to go. You know BoyKing’s talking to the portraits and praying on his knees in the middle of his pretty sunburst rug in the Oval.

No one touched this question — which I dressed up by calling him President Bush and with lotsa “thanks for chatting,” “love your column,” “best political blog.”

Methinks there must be a group of Senior GOP Senators ready to make the call. Stevens, Warner, McConnell?

A federal grand jury has indicted an Alaska lawmaker on charges of extortion, conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering, federal officials said Friday.
A seven-count indictment was returned against state Rep. Thomas T. Anderson, R-Anchorage, on Wednesday, assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher said. Anderson was arrested Thursday, and was being held at the city jail.
The indictment charges Anderson with two counts of extortion, one count of bribery, one count of conspiracy, and three counts of money laundering in connection with the use of a sham corporation to hide the identity of the bribery payments, Fisher said in a prepared statement.
The indictment also alleges that Anderson solicited and received money from an FBI confidential source in exchange for Anderson’s agreement to perform official acts to further a business interest represented by the confidential source.

This story is minutes old. I can’t imagine Alice Fisher making a public statement about this unless there are more indictments – more important indictments – coming. She’s on the make and will want to use this as one of the demonstrations that her ongoing public corruption probes with DoJ/FBI are productive.

The question no WaPoO chatter would take this week: When do the GOP solons trek up PennAve to tell the BoyKing he’s got to save their party and the country? Just like Hugh Scott, Howard Baker, and Barry Goldwater told RMN it was time to go. You know BoyKing’s talking to the portraits and praying on his knees in the middle of his pretty sunburst rug in the Oval.

No one touched this question — which I dressed up by calling him President Bush and with lotsa “thanks for chatting,” “love your column,” “best political blog.”

Methinks there must be a group of Senior GOP Senators ready to make the call. Stevens, Warner, McConnell?

Just got this from Sen. Feingold’s office — looks like they have reinstated the IG in Iraq:

“I am pleased that Congress has fixed the mistake of shutting down the office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction prematurely. The office has proven to be an effective tool in uncovering waste, fraud and abuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars in Iraq and needs to continue its valuable work. The President should quickly sign this bill into law to ensure sufficient oversight of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars being spent on reconstruction efforts in Iraq.”

ESAR – in general I like the practice, but I wouldn’t want to belabor the obvious if it’s likely that folks have already seen stuff elsewhere. also, there is the risk of the “echo chamber” effect

.
I’d suggest the risk of the echo chamber is offset by expanding each other’s horizons and helping to drive traffic to our web friends. Most of us stumbled on FDL from somewhere else. It’s only fair to share the wealth.

I love reading Watertiger’s Face the Snark, in part, because it introduces me to sites I might not have found otherwise.

Exciting news in Alaska, ET, please keep us informed. I am a little suspicious of Alice Fisher’s involvement; hasn’t she been very effective at keeping indictments limited to one person (e.g. Safavian) rather than seeking expansive relationships that are indictable (e.g. Rollins)?

Aren’t there a bunch of investigations that should POP soon, and haven’t yet due to Alice? I’m thinking Weldon, Frist, Lewis, Doolittle, the Ohio GOP, etc.

The people in charge, such as 41, Rummy, Cheney, Gates and many others have had involvement in psychological programs, operations and other forms of non-lethal warfare. Gates used different forms of psych manipulation in Afghanistan against the Soviets and Rummy has had no qualms using drugs on detainees.

One way or the other, a major mind manipulation has been done on Junior that would parallel the tactics used in these programs. With all of the information about him living in a bubble, consider the aspect that his form of captivity has been successful for carrying out the operators plans, until recently.

John Warner might. McConnell has been a bootlicking shill all his life and it just isn’t in him.

Also re McConnell, did anyone else notice that McConnell immediately upon his election as Minority Senate leader said that the Democrats would need 60 votes to pass anything? For the last 6 years, Senate Democrats have been beaten over the head by Republicans over the filibuster and yet when the Republicans go into the minority it is the first thing they bring up.

John Warner might. McConnell has been a bootlicking shill all his life and it just isn’t in him.

Also re McConnell, did anyone else notice that McConnell immediately upon his election as Minority Senate leader said that the Democrats would need 60 votes to pass anything? For the last 6 years, Senate Democrats have been beaten over the head by Republicans over the filibuster and yet when the Republicans go into the minority it is the first thing they bring up.

John Warner might. McConnell has been a bootlicking shill all his life and it just isn’t in him.

Also re McConnell, did anyone else notice that McConnell immediately upon his election as Minority Senate leader said that the Democrats would need 60 votes to pass anything? For the last 6 years, Senate Democrats have been beaten over the head by Republicans over the filibuster and yet when the Republicans go into the minority it is the first thing they bring up.

Exciting news in Alaska, ET, please keep us informed. I am a little suspicious of Alice Fisher’s involvement; hasn’t she been very effective at keeping indictments limited to one person (e.g. Safavian) rather than seeking expansive relationships that are indictable (e.g. Rollins)?

Aren’t there a bunch of investigations that should POP soon, and haven’t yet due to Alice? I’m thinking Weldon, Frist, Lewis, Doolittle, the Ohio GOP, etc.

I’m not sure. I was surprised, as I said, to see her name pop up in the public statement of the indictment of a political figure about whom nobody outside Alaska knows a darn thing. Makes one wonder….

I predict Alce has seen the handwriting on the wall, observed the handwringing of fellow GOP shills at DoJ these days, and is trying to find a way to ride the wave of public resentment against congress (13% approval rating!!!) into the U.S. Senate.

Re pardon power exception. “In cases of impeachment”–I’m thinking this means that the President cannot prevent an impeachment via pardon, nor can he void a conviction and penalty that flows from that impeachment. The only punishment via conviction from an impeachment is removal from office, and a bar on further office.

The president can keep you out of jail, but can’t give you your job back.

That is certainly the most obviuos meaning. I think the other interpretations suggested above would have to be made in a cse of first impression

I’m late to the blog today (bar setup complicated by upcoming music folks’ requirements!!) and y’all have probably covered this, but I love it, re: HillObama, in today’s WaPo.

Behind the scenes, of course, it’s a slightly different story. “Don’t tell Mama, I’m for Obama” has become the Obama campaign’s unofficial motto. It’s a reference to Clinton’s nickname as first lady and an example of the conflicted loyalties of many Democratic political aides. Some are talking to both camps about possible jobs in the presidential campaigns. Meanwhile, Democratic senators who are not considering presidential bids of their own are remaining neutral.

“Jack D. Crouch II, the president’s deputy national security adviser, was said by administration officials to be putting together options for Mr. Bush, and they said the president was determined to come up with an approach that, one senior aide said, ‘borrowed from the panel’s findings, but is distinctly his own.’”

I’m reminded of that Simpsons episode that was repeated a couple of nights ago, the one where Homer’s long-lost brother lets him design a car for his company, and he makes them build a huge batmobile with a plexiglas dome that costs $80,000, and destroys the company. “Distinctly his own” indeed.

Also re McConnell, did anyone else notice that McConnell immediately upon his election as Minority Senate leader said that the Democrats would need 60 votes to pass anything? For the last 6 years, Senate Democrats have been beaten over the head by Republicans over the filibuster and yet when the Republicans go into the minority it is the first thing they bring up.

Standard wingnut practice — loudly accuse your enemies of doing things that you openly do yourself. (The saddest thing is that I think a lot of them don’t even know they’re lying any more — “We know the Democrats are doing it, even though we have no evidence, so we had to do it, they left us no choice…”)

OT– but I just saw this interview with a former fellow of the Carter center who criticized Jimmy Carter and his new book even alleging plagiarism on msnbc and went digging a bit because of my dismay and of course the interview was entirely without the context below.

…

Figures. I thought that whole flap sounded kinda AIPAC-ish, but I didn’t want to assume without knowing for sure.

Hugh – Caught your post a bit late yesterday. Great to see you up top.

kirk murphy – Would Bush Jr. telling the President of France that God told him to invade Iraq , qualify?

Although I usually give spiritual perceptions a wide berth before considering any diagnosis, I’d diagnose Shrub’s perception as a “command hallucination” – the voice he hears is ordering him about.

Command hallucinations are not uncommon, and the vast majority of patients with these symptomos DO NOT allow the commands to influence their behavior.

Patients lacking insight into the psychotic nature of command hallucinations are at greatest risk of acting upon the commnands.

As W has described his belief in Christ, the violent commands he reports appear to be inconsistent with W’s professsed spiritual beliefs, and this raises the likelihood that his reported experience is a symptom of neuroanl derangement, as opposed to a spiritual experience.

One outcome of chronic stimulant abuse (cocaine, amphetamines, or their derivatives) may be chronic symptoms of affective (mood) disorder and psychotic disorder. For patients with these sequelae of stimulant abuse, their symptoms consist of labile mood (irritable/grandiose/depressed) and psychotic perceptions (most commonly chronic auditory hallucinations and paranoid/peresecutory delusions).

The Republic is up psychotic creek with a thermonuclear paddle, headed for the Hormuz Straits rapids.

Can anyone explain to me why we should take NARAL–or HRC, for that matter–seriously? Both groups seem to be fighting for the right to sit in the back of the bus. Why are people wasting their money on them?

I think we should care because they have tremendous name recognition and contact with a broad swath of the American people. I agree they should be brought down if they won’t stop their chummy ways and actually fight, but if they can be rescued, that would be even better.

Yeah, cross-posting is great. I for one prefer FDL to dKos. FDL is more “readable” on many levels, IMHO.

I think of FDL as like being at one of those parties where everybody winds up in the kitchen. Visiting Kos is like standing in a packed auditorium amidst the roaring din. I poke my head into the auditorium a few times a day, but I spend more time in the kitchen.

Yeah, Kos is like going to an info trade show. My head hurts afte abt 5 min. The Lake occurs at a human pace. I was please abt TRex’s retro last night. Needs some rehearsal but the idea of some ‘medium term memory’ for the community is a good one. Esp now with Jan still weeks away and no Fitz to sink teeth into.

I can only think of 1 way in which the CHIMP and his cabal can save face, reject the recommendations of the ISG, and either remain in Iraq or not (in their sole discretion and on their own timetable).

Conspiratorial assumption that the CHIMP and his cabal will stop at nothing to retain power. Were our country subjected to another terrorist attack, you can only begin to guess at the level of consolidation of governmental authority this administration would seek, and the level of hubris and arrogance that would follow.

Just my dumb opinion from Flori-DUH.

I agree that’s an all too likely possibility, but I think there will be an increasing conflict between what’s good for Bush’s reputation (put off the disaster until I’m gone) and what’s less bad for the GOP (get this over with and leave as much lead time as possible before ‘08.) And much as Bush might light to declare an emergency and stay in office, I don’t think they could pull it off. They floated a trial balloon about postponing the election in ‘04, and it was shot down pretty quick. He’s a lot less popular now, and there are plenty of other Republicans who want their turn.

Frank Rich said it best last Sunday: Bush is “untethered from reality.”

Now what does that mean strictly in DSM terms? Bush is psychotic. He needs both shock therapy and (given his “family relations”) deep psychoanalysis.

PS: The dictionary at http://www.dictionary.com
defines “psychosis” as a “mental disorder such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality.”

Oh, us liberals! People, I don’t care what treatment he ever gets. His life and happiness are his problem. Can’t we settle for just getting him the frick OUT OF OUR WHITE HOUSE! Yes, I am shouting.

I agree. But I’m afraid we’re stuck with him for the next two years. So it might be in our interest (all of us Americans and the rest of the world) to get him into treatment as soon as possible.

kirk murphy’s elaborate diagnosis only shows us how much trouble we’re in.

It’s not like he doesn’t have a good medical plan. But exactly who do you think will get him to a shink? There seems to be no one on earth who can keep him from doing any little thing he thinks of. Can this be true? Where are these vaunted ‘handlers’?

“Jacoby, in fact, add Congress to that group. Excessive investigation to get to the bottom of intelligence incompetence inhibits law enforcement and intelligence agencies from taking risks in thwarting terrorist operations.

We are again the enemy.”

Sounds like time for another false-flag to bolster our dwindling “will”.

kirk murphy:

“ECT does have demonstrated efficacy in some episodes of bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and major depression otherwise refractory to medications.”

I’d like to see Linehan’s DBT given to every sitting prez as well as every representative. Throw in the media punditocracy for good measure. And I would start off with GW taking 300mg of effexor followed up with an intensive course in cognitive behavioral therapy. One can dream.

c-span3 covered it, including after the official end when the reporters were talking amongst themselves. oh boy, were they pissed (no questions, no summary, apparently no embargoed report to read prior to presser)…

I can only think of 1 way in which the CHIMP and his cabal can save face, reject the recommendations of the ISG, and either remain in Iraq or not (in their sole discretion and on their own timetable).

Conspiratorial assumption that the CHIMP and his cabal will stop at nothing to retain power. Were our country subjected to another terrorist attack, you can only begin to guess at the level of consolidation of governmental authority this administration would seek, and the level of hubris and arrogance that would follow.

Just my dumb opinion from Flori-DUH.

I agree that’s an all too likely possibility, but I think there will be an increasing conflict between what’s good for Bush’s reputation (put off the disaster until I’m gone) and what’s less bad for the GOP (get this over with and leave as much lead time as possible before ‘08.) And much as Bush might light to declare an emergency and stay in office, I don’t think they could pull it off. They floated a trial balloon about postponing the election in ‘04, and it was shot down pretty quick. He’s a lot less popular now, and there are plenty of other Republicans who want their turn.

He has no clue that he has lost face. There is *no* leverage on the asshat, anywhere. He only understands force, as is clearly demonstrated by his actions.

Re Sen. Smith of Oregon, he does seem to be all over the map but I agree he has had enough:

But I, for one, am tired of paying the price of 10 or more of our troops dying a day. So let’s cut and run, or cut and walk [the ISG report], or let us fight the war on terror more intelligently than we have, because we have fought this war in a very lamentable way.

He has no clue that he has lost face. There is *no* leverage on the asshat, anywhere. He only understands force, as is clearly demonstrated by his actions.

One solution would be to shunt GW out of the loop and have people ordered to report to someone else and not him. Or to put it in IT speak, “Treat Bush as damage and route around him.” And while I can see Gates complying to such an arrangement I’m not sure Rice would. Could be a problem there.

New to Raw Story? Click here to visit our home page for the latest news.

Brian Beutler
Published: Friday December 8, 2006

House Democrats will bring a minimum wage increase bill before the floor at the start of the 110th congress that will block pay increases for themselves–and Vice President Dick Cheney–RAW STORY has learned.

“Jacoby, in fact, add Congress to that group. Excessive investigation to get to the bottom of intelligence incompetence inhibits law enforcement and intelligence agencies from taking risks in thwarting terrorist operations.

We are again the enemy.”

Sounds like time for another false-flag to bolster our dwindling “will”.

kirk murphy:

“ECT does have demonstrated efficacy in some episodes of bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and major depression otherwise refractory to medications.”

I’d like to see Linehan’s DBT given to every sitting prez as well as every representative. Throw in the media punditocracy for good measure. And I would start off with GW taking 300mg of effexor followed up with an intensive course in cognitive behavioral therapy. One can dream.

oh, dear – we may want to consider other treatment plans,

Psychopharm primer:

Antidepresssants – used alone – will increase the severity and frequency of “bipolar mood swings”.

Antidepressants – used alone – exacerbate psychotic symptoms.

Effexor appears to have a general risk of increasing impulsive behavior (such as suicidiality) in adults. [NOTE - Many people use this tool without such side effects. The withdrawal from Effexor is severe, and I’m just pixels on this excellent blog. IF you take Effexor, please DO NOT change your dose without consultation with your doc.]

[for some patients, a single anti-psychotic - with careful monitoriinng for neurologic and metabolic side effects - may serve for both a) and b) above]

c) use of anti-depressants to place a “floor under” depressive mood disorder episodes, and hence allow the patient’s intrinsic mood to return to baseline

____________________________________

Bonus O/T ;)

Antidepressant/suicidality Overview:

90 % of anti-depressant prescriptions are written by non-psychiatrists. These busy prescribers usually lack the time to enquire about a history of bipolar symptoms, and hence many patients with undiagnosed bipolar disorder are prescribed antidepressants. Even some psychiatrists fail to ask “normal-looking” patients about hallucinations (I have four such patients in clinc now, one of whom went undiagnosed for over twenty years), and hence always miss this important diagnostic “must”.

Many of the media accounts of tragic horrific outcomes with specific anti-depressants actually reflect this general biology.

The same outcomes were reported in the 60’s and 70’s with tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants – the two “generations” of antidepressants precedig the introduction of fluoxetine (Prozac).

A different anti-depressant side effect – akathesia – the subjective sense of physical restlessness (”I can’t sit still”) also leads to suicide in some patients. With akathesia, thorough patient education (”If you get fidgety, call me and stop the drug. Here’s why…” “Now please repeat back what I said so I know I said it clearly”) is the best way to prevent predictable side efects from causing tragic outcomes.

After reading this, and having seen several people posting that he would be an interesting guest for the Sunday Book Salon, wonder whether it would be possible for him to be asked to participate. He could probably get one of his grandchildren to do the physical blogging.

We need to bring the Israeli/Palestinian debate into the sunshine. I, for one, am tired of people who lower their voices when speaking of Israel/Palestine or Jewish friends being offended if it is mentioned.

He has no clue that he has lost face. There is *no* leverage on the asshat, anywhere. He only understands force, as is clearly demonstrated by his actions.

One solution would be to shunt GW out of the loop and have people ordered to report to someone else and not him. Or to put it in IT speak, “Treat Bush as damage and route around him.” And while I can see Gates complying to such an arrangement I’m not sure Rice would. Could be a problem there.

I had sort of hoped this would happen with Baker. Since it didn’t I can only assume that the Bush43 team has more mojo than the Bush41 team, whoever that really is. So, who would be bossin’ Bush43 to whom it is not obvious that the end result will be the destruction of the US? Someone not obvious, since anyone we can see is likely to have their own career destroyed in the conflagration.

As the Freindly Giant used to say, look up, look ‘way up. I cannot see that far, but I’m pretty sure there’s somebody calling the shots who is bigger than Bush 43 *and* overruling Bush 41. Unless it was kabuki all along. Even that doesn’t seem right, since if 43 was in on it and behaving according to plan, he’s simply be putting on a better show. It seems I cannot be cynical enough with this bunch.

After reading this, and having seen several people posting that he would be an interesting guest for the Sunday Book Salon, wonder whether it would be possible for him to be asked to participate. He could probably get one of his grandchildren to do the physical blogging.

We need to bring the Israeli/Palestinian debate into the sunshine. I, for one, am tired of people who lower their voices when speaking of Israel/Palestine or Jewish friends being offended if it is mentioned.

Jane expressed interest last week in inviting President Carter to the book salon. If anything, an appearance by Carter here would be even more important with the recommendations of the ISG re Palestine/Israel.

Slightly OT:90 % of anti-depressant prescriptions are written by non-psychiatrists.

There was a story up at CNN.com a week or so back about a guy using anti-depressants without being depressed. (He also admitted to using ecstasy once a month.) My first thought was, how do we report his doctor? It’s drug abuse, on the face of it. (Think Limbaugh with antidepressants rather than painkillers.)

After reading this, and having seen several people posting that he would be an interesting guest for the Sunday Book Salon, wonder whether it would be possible for him to be asked to participate. He could probably get one of his grandchildren to do the physical blogging.

We need to bring the Israeli/Palestinian debate into the sunshine. I, for one, am tired of people who lower their voices when speaking of Israel/Palestine or Jewish friends being offended if it is mentioned.

I think even Arkin conflates a series of issues that are easily distinguishable.

There are those among us who feel that we should fight extremism aggressively, just as we did the Soviets, but feel that the fight in Iraq has absolutely nothing to do with that fight and weakens our ability to fight that fight.

There are a host of other ways that we could spend $100 billion to fight extremism including catching UBL and rebuilding Afghanistan, funding alternative fuels research and infrastructure, strengthening port and plant security and beefing up local responders.

If you really want to see the numbers peel away from team Bush, you need to incorporate those who actually believe there is an Islamic extremist threat but think Iraq is not the answer. Once you do that, the only people supporting team Bush are those whose egos are involved, basically Bush and Cheney themselves.

Jane expressed interest last week in inviting President Carter to the book salon. If anything, an appearance by Carter here would be even more important with the recommendations of the ISG re Palestine/Israel.

i’m hoping! might be a tough one though… but for those of us who care about ALL the people of israel/palestine – carter has been a voice of truth and moral courage. i’d like to actively support his efforts.

After reading this, and having seen several people posting that he would be an interesting guest for the Sunday Book Salon, wonder whether it would be possible for him to be asked to participate. He could probably get one of his grandchildren to do the physical blogging.

We need to bring the Israeli/Palestinian debate into the sunshine. I, for one, am tired of people who lower their voices when speaking of Israel/Palestine or Jewish friends being offended if it is mentioned.

jinny, thanks for linking that. I am hopeful that President Carter will join us here. I am deeply interested in Americans engaging in this conversation, too.

I am sad that it has taken this long, but hopeful it will happen soon.

Slightly OT:90 % of anti-depressant prescriptions are written by non-psychiatrists.

There was a story up at CNN.com a week or so back about a guy using anti-depressants without being depressed. (He also admitted to using ecstasy once a month.) My first thought was, how do we report his doctor? It’s drug abuse, on the face of it. (Think Limbaugh with antidepressants rather than painkillers.)

Thanks for the excellent informative post. What’s your opinion of the APA position of psych professionals using their skill in negative ways to manipulate subjects in detention?

I think the list you gave is an example of how meds are deliberately used (in reverse) to provoke unhealthy reactions.

Thanks Rumi.

I’m not trying to be snarky or cause professional “turf-wars” (I’ve seen plenty of incompetent psychiatrists and psychologists), but there are two (big) mental health APA’s,one for psychologists and one for psychiatrists.

The American Psychiatric Association, acting consistently with medical ethics and the values in the ancient Oath of Hippocrates, forbids physician particiaption in torture/interrogation.

The American Psychological Association – at the behest IIRC of a working group chiefly comprosed of ex-military psychologists – allows psychologists (PhD’s) to collude with the torturers (as long as the psycholoigsts don’t directly treat the torture victim).

I look forward to seeing the head of the American Psychological Association and every single US psychologist, physician, nurse,, etc who assited in torture charged as individuals in the Hague or in German/Belgian courts.

I also look forward to these professionals’ moral turpitude used as grouds to revoke/and or deny them licensure in all the fifty states.

No safe harbor for human rights criminals – especially health professionals. Let them never know a night’s sleep without worry the warrants will be served the next morning. Let them know a lifetime of fear and discomfort – all from Interpol.

No, he was using them – by his own admission – just to feel good all the time, so he could walk around with a smile every day. I’m all in favor of using them as needed, but this was a whole ‘nother story.

Antidepresssants – used alone – will increase the severity and frequency of “bipolar mood swings”.

Antidepressants – used alone – exacerbate psychotic symptoms.

So are we then seeing GW as bipolar or merely the end result of years of stimulant abuse? Maybe ECT would work? I for one would gladly throw the switch, repeatedly.

noen, I believe all who are commenting on this topic are merely joking, and I hope I don’t seem rude…

but I am deeply opposed to any misuse of medical care for harm – even when used againist war criminals like dubya.

We will not defeat the authoritarians by changing the presidential pictures in the torture chambers.

We will defeat the authoriatrians when their torture chambers around the world – Diego Garcia, Bagram, Guantamano, USS X? – are revealed and unroofed, and the admirals, generals, attorneys general, physicians, and other servants of torture are indicted and tried.

After reading this, and having seen several people posting that he would be an interesting guest for the Sunday Book Salon, wonder whether it would be possible for him to be asked to participate. He could probably get one of his grandchildren to do the physical blogging.

We need to bring the Israeli/Palestinian debate into the sunshine. I, for one, am tired of people who lower their voices when speaking of Israel/Palestine or Jewish friends being offended if it is mentioned.

jinny, thanks for linking that. I am hopeful that President Carter will join us here. I am deeply interested in Americans engaging in this conversation, too.

I am sad that it has taken this long, but hopeful it will happen soon.

thanks klyde for the heads-up at 144.

Cujo359 @ 143 and Hotflash @ 149– LOL!

He gave the Commencement Address at my daughter’s graduation. His topic was Foreign Affairs and he spoke particularly about India/Pakistan and Khashmir and that the US was neglecting that area and needed to pay attention.

As he says in his OpEd today:

Out in the real world, however, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve signed books in five stores, with more than 1,000 buyers at each site. I’ve had one negative remark — that I should be tried for treason — and one caller on C-SPAN said that I was an anti-Semite. My most troubling experience has been the rejection of my offers to speak, for free, about the book on university campuses with high Jewish enrollment and to answer questions from students and professors. I have been most encouraged by prominent Jewish citizens and members of Congress who have thanked me privately for presenting the facts and some new ideas.

Thanks for the clarification and additional info. Thanks too, for your personal code of ethics concerning the situation. I agree completely and I would never advocate the use of that practice for harm but others have and in our name…bastards. I seriously think GWB has been a controlled subject all along.

It’s hard to see the SSRIs being abused for pleasure/recreation. Many times, the cure(side effects) are worse than what’s being treated.

Seriously? I’ve indulged in a conspiracy theory now and then but I usually come back to reality, or an approximation of it. But to seriously believe that GW is drugged and then propped up in front of the cameras is a bit much. Do you have any, you know, actual evidence for that belief? It’s a little out there I think, but who knows?

As a former teen aged patient in a mental hospital nearly thirty years ago for psychological evaluation I want to take issue with the idea of ECT even (as a joke) for those who have condoned/ordered torture. I watched my roommate before during and after a few rounds. It isn’t pretty.

I want Jr. fully alert, unmedicated and suffering through every trial he has earned. Full restraints would be appropriate.

No, he was using them – by his own admission – just to feel good all the time, so he could walk around with a smile every day. I’m all in favor of using them as needed, but this was a whole ‘nother story.

Slightly OT:90 % of anti-depressant prescriptions are written by non-psychiatrists.

There was a story up at CNN.com a week or so back about a guy using anti-depressants without being depressed. (He also admitted to using ecstasy once a month.) My first thought was, how do we report his doctor? It’s drug abuse, on the face of it. (Think Limbaugh with antidepressants rather than painkillers.)

Peter Kramer’s book – over a decade old – is a great introduction to one set of perspectives about the use of psychotropic meds to optimize comfort.

What is health? may seem like a trivial question, but many different subjective viewpoints come into conflict when assessing the use of antidepressants as described in the CNN article.

The described use would not constitute “drug abuse” as I understand the term. If adequate risk-benefit physician/patient discussion had gone on, this use would not trouble most of the physicians I know.

Having said that, I am not suggeting the described use is how I would practice. I’ve decided not to use (legal, non-addictive) psychopharm tools to optimize function, as doinng so leaves me outside of “evidence-based medicine”, and I get all cold and lonely there.

On the other hand, some patterns of dysfunction (drunk driving, spousal abuse, child molestation) can go unrecognized for decades or centuries.

If I assume that all pathophysiology is known as 2006, I’m really arrogant (and ignorant of the history of biomedicine). I can’t possibly know of the diagnoses yet un-recognized.

Use of fluoxetine in patients with sexual fetishes for inanimate objects quite accidentally relieved the fetish (sorry Siggy :) – looks like sexual fetishes in these patients were hitherto unrecognized OCD variants..

Without emiprical use of psychotopics, this would never have come to light.

So I want to see the psychotropic tools used safely, but I don’t conclude that emiprical use of non-addictive tools for apparent “enhancement” is a priori malpractice or drug abuse.

(PS – And I’m hoping some econ prof will assign a graduate project following puchases (by male charge card holders) of women’s shoes and undergarments in the decade after use of SSRI’s to relieve fetishes became known.)

Seriously? I’ve indulged in a conspiracy theory now and then but I usually come back to reality, or an approximation of it. But to seriously believe that GW is drugged and then propped up in front of the cameras is a bit much. Do you have any, you know, actual evidence for that belief? It’s a little out there I think, but who knows?

I don’t think it’s any conspiracy theory at all. He has been kept misinformed, in a bubble of supposedly trusted advisers. He has had uncharacteristic traits/appearances during times of public speaking. Personal accounts that have leaked out relate episodes of extreme behaviors. A history of substance abuse and addiction in a man that now has the ultimate responsibility of millions of lives would require some stabalization.

People get the wrong impression of controlling others’ behavior. It’s not just hitting someone up with drugs and flipping a switch. It’s a long, complicated process of suggestion, denial, deprivation, reward, positive/negative reinforcement and also medications. It was done on a grand scale to the American public.

noen, I believe all who are commenting on this topic are merely joking, and I hope I don’t seem rude…

but I am deeply opposed to any misuse of medical care for harm – even when used againist war criminals like dubya.

I was also merely joking, though I can understand the concern. We are on the same page regarding how to defeat the authoritarians. Though at times I really wonder if it’s possible.

On the other hand, I really would like to see DBT brought to a wider audience. The whole damn country could only benefit. Left or Right, conservative or liberal, I can see only good things from a wider awareness of Marsha Linehan’s work. And just to add to the mix, I would throw in some of William Glasser’s Choice Theory. I found his ideas very helpful in my life and I can only think that others would too.

noen, I believe all who are commenting on this topic are merely joking, and I hope I don’t seem rude…

but I am deeply opposed to any misuse of medical care for harm – even when used againist war criminals like dubya.

I was also merely joking, though I can understand the concern. We are on the same page regarding how to defeat the authoritarians. Though at times I really wonder if it’s possible.

On the other hand, I really would like to see DBT brought to a wider audience. The whole damn country could only benefit. Left or Right, conservative or liberal, I can see only good things from a wider awareness of Marsha Linehan’s work. And just to add to the mix, I would throw in some of William Glasser’s Choice Theory. I found his ideas very helpful in my life and I can only think that others would too.

take care

Agree with you whole-heartedly – except where I’m too ignorant to follow :) I’ll have to ‘lern up on Choice Theory.

Be well – and hope we all can maintain the hope we’ll defeat authoritarian rule.

I take hope from the failure of the Wurlitzer – forty years of massively subsidized PR has wholly failed to debase Americans’ core values.

The PR worked for a time on important but external perceptions of optimal policies (taxes and government = bad), but is losing traction there.

We’ve seen the greatest reach of the authoritarian Wurlitzer – it failed. We’ve yet to see the grreatest intensity – that will comme ovet the next two years.

We are winning, and we shall triumph – our nation is too strong for the authoritarians to subdue.